Issue - meetings

This report presents the Cabinet's draft medium term financial plan, and revenue and capital budgets for the 2015/16 financial year together with a proposal for a Council Tax level for 2015/16.

The Council considered a report presenting the Cabinet’s medium term financial plan, and revenue and capital budgets for the 2015/16 financial year together with a proposal for a Council tax level for 2015/16.

In addition to the reports circulated with the agenda, all Councillors had received a copy of the draft minute of the Resources Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 9^th February with the Panel’s comments on the budget proposals.  Councillors also received Appendix 8 – Formal Council Tax Setting resolutions (incorporating precepts from Parishes, Fire and Police) and updated budget proposals.

On a motion from Councillor Paul Crossley, seconded by Councillor Tim Warren, it was RESOLVED that the Council suspends Council rule 42, Content and Length of Speeches, for the duration of this debate so as to enable variations to be permitted to the length of speeches by the Cabinet Member for Community Resources, the Conservative, Independent and Labour Groups and the Chair of the Resources Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel.

On a motion from Councillor David Bellotti, seconded by Councillor Paul Crossley, it was

RESOLVED

1.  that the Council approve:

a)  The General Fund net revenue budget for 2015/16 of £119.914m with no increase in Council Tax.

b)  That no Special Expenses be charged other than Town and Parish Council precepts for 2015/16.

c)  The adequacy of reserves at Appendix 1 Table 8 with a risk-assessed level of £10.5m.

d)  The individual service cash limits for 2015/16 summarised at Appendix 1 Table 4 and detailed in Annex 1.

e)  That the specific arrangements for the governance and release of reserves, including invest to save proposals, be delegated to the Council’s Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community Resources and the Chief Executive.

2.  That the Council include in its Council Tax setting, the precepts set and approved by other bodies including the local precepts of Town Councils, Parish Councils and the Charter Trustees of the City of Bath, and those of the Fire and Police Authorities.

3.  That the Council notes the Section 151 officer's report on the robustness of the proposed budget and the adequacy of the Council's reserves (Appendix 1, Annex 2) and approves the conditions upon which the recommendations are made as set out throughout Appendix 1.

4.  That in relation to the capital budget the Council:

a)  approves a capital programme of £57.873m for 2015/16 and notes items for provisional approval in 2015/16 and the programme for 2016/17 to 2019/20 as shown at Appendix 1, Annex 3 (as amended by the document attached to these minutes), including the planned sources of funding.

b)  delegates implementation, subject to consultation where appropriate, of the capital programmes set out in Annex 3i to Annex 3iv to the relevant Strategic Director in Consultation with the appropriate Cabinet Member.

c)  approves all other delegations as set out in the budget report.

d)  approves the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy as shown at Appendix 1, Annex 4

e)  approves the Capital Prudential Indicators  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70

The report 'Budget & Council Tax 2015/16 and Medium Term Financial Outlook' is now attached.

Please also find attached an appendix to the report ‘Medium Term Service Plans – ‘Summary of comments from Policy Development and Scrutiny Panels’

Tim Richens, Divisional Director Business Support, introduced the report.

Panel members considered the comments from the Policy Development and Scrutiny Panels made in the November meetings on the medium term plans.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Crossley (in place of Councillor David Bellotti, Cabinet Member for Community Resources) introduced the budget.

Panel members asked the following questions and made the following points:

Councillor Macrae asked some questions about the PDS comments, Andrew Pate – Strategic Director for Resources, explained that no recommendations had come forward from these meetings to suggest a change in the budget and that the Cabinet member had taken these comments into account when setting the budget. He added that there are no outstanding issues arising from these comments. Councillor Macrae stated that he did not feel the comments useful in his consideration of the budget. There was some discussion around the rise in cost of entry to the Roman Baths, Councillor Gerrish suggested that this did not sit well with the surplus in Heritage Services.

Councillor Jackson (Chair of Housing and Major Projects PDS Panel) reported that her Panel had not made any formal recommendations but asked that the Panel’s comments on the waterways and parking in the context of regeneration be noted.

Regarding the budget papers presented by the Council Leader, Councillor Macrae asked about ‘deprivation of liberty safeguards’. Jane Shayler (Divisional Director Adult Care, Health and Housing Strategy and Commissioning) explained that this meant keeping an individual in a place of safety against their will. She explained that a recent judgement had affected how the legislation is applied and the Council now has responsibility to undertake ‘best interest assessments’. She reported that costs have doubled as a result of the judgement and assured the Panel that arrangements are in place. Councillor Macrae asked about the costs resulting from the Care Act and Welfare Support Team – he asked if officers were not aware of these things coming up half way through the year and expressed concerns that attempts to be prudent are overrided by these examples. Councillor Bull pointed to Appendix 2 which sets out how the shortfall is being made up. Tim Richens talked through Appendix 2. Councillor Crossley explained that the Care Act came into place in 2014 when budgets had been set and staff had done very well to cope.

Councillor Gerrish asked a number of factual questions on the budget papers which were addressed by officers. He raised the following points which Louise Fradd (Strategic Director – Place) said that she would follow up and report back on:

·  Why is money being spent on a highways scheme in Sally in the Woods when similar work was carried out their recently (Appendix 1, Annex 3 – Highways Maintenance Programme);

·  Ashton Way Car Park (page 74) - why are we paying for resurfacing work when contractors could also contribute.

Councillor John Bull stated that he welcomed the inclusion of an equivalent living wage in the budget. He also asked about  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63